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My question is who leaked out that Fitzgerald contract comparison by Wallace to the media? IS it possible it was someone with the best interest of the Steelers in mind or within the Steelers organization to "scare off" any possible suitors? Some simple propaganda?

Reports out of San Francisco have Mike Wallace requesting a deal worth more than Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald $120 million contract if he were going to consider joining the 49ers.

This, of course, caused a great deal of public outcry from Steelers fans, who A. Don't think Wallace is worth that kind of money, and B. think he's as good as gone.

Both statements are ridiculous.

Agents always aim high when negotiating. That's their job. If, and that's a big if, Wallace's agent told the 49ers he wanted more than Fitzgerald, so what?

That doesn't mean that's where any final contract would end up at.

Agents ask for the moon all the time. That's what they do. The team then offers a counter - if they're truly interested. And so it goes from there.

As for Wallace not being in Fitzgerald's class as a receiver, realize that in their first three NFL seasons, they both caught 24 touchdown passes, while Wallace had more yards. Fitzgerald had more receptions.

That's not a true barometer and the eye test tells me Fitzgerald is a better receiver, but agents being agents, they're going to look at the numbers.

Does this mean Wallace won't be a Steeler in 2012? Nope. In fact, if the report is true - and I do have my doubts about the veracity - Wallace will definitely be back with the Steelers this season.

And if they can't work out a deal with Wallace, there's always the possibility of using the franchise tag on him in 2013.

If no other choice, depending on his performance this season, if they can't get a deal done this season, franchise him, tender Brown and Sanders. Reality is we are going to lose 1 of the 3. Question is which one?

OK, why would the rams trade picks and more with cleveland for a WR. Just give up the pick for Wallace. Instead of trading up and losing multiple picks... Or maybe Wallace isnt a Round 1 pick in anyones eyes.

read:

The tables have turned. Jeff Fisher and the Rams now sit at No. 6, staring up at Cleveland's No. 4 pick in next month's draft. St. Louis is in desperate need of a receiver to pair with young quarterback Sam Bradford, and hanging around at the sixth spot could cost them a chance at Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. Fisher acknowledged to The Plain Dealer that Cleveland looms as a realistic trade partner.

Also from Thomas, regarding Mike Wallace: "He has a first-round tender. And you can only use your original first-round pick as compensation. The Rams no longer have their original first-round pick after trading down with Washington. So they can't acquire Wallace through the regular process of restricted free agency. Now, the Rams could always offer less in a sign-and-trade situation. But why would the Steelers want less than a first-rounder? They put the tender on him in an attempt to keep him." Noted: The Rams could, in theory, offer the sixth overall pick, but that would be a steep price to pay.

Now, my friend Josh Sanchez of NFL Spin Zone has been covering free agency, and he says that the Broncos would be willing to part ways with their first round pick for Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers to complement Manning. Wallace is currently a restricted free agent with a first round tender, and it would certainly be interesting for the Broncos to make such a move.

Denver's first round pick is obviously very valuable, but if they offer Mike Wallace a similar deal to the one that Vincent Jackson just got from Tampa Bay, it would be hard for the Steelers to match since they've already had to cut bait this offseason to make players fit on their roster.

The Broncos do have needs on the defensive side of the ball, but if they sign Peyton Manning and supplement him with Mike Wallace, the Broncos' offense automatically goes from a run first, quick striking pass offense to a full out aerial attack supplemented by a strong running game.

The NFL Annual Meeting wrapped up Wednesday and there wasn't a hint of a rumor regarding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace. That surely pleases Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who isn't thinking about what would happen if another team signed Wallace.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it -- IF we come to it," Tomlin said.

At this stage there is no indication that any team will sign Wallace to an offer sheet. Here are the best reasons we can come up with:

It's too early

Teams have until April 20 to sign restricted free agents to an offer sheet. Unrestricted free agents get the most attention early in the process, and teams then start looking closer at restricted players. Perhaps a team is out there biding their time.

He's too expensive

There have been reports Wallace wants more than $100 million in a contract. He wants Larry Fitzgerald money. If that's true, the cost of the contract plus a first-round pick could make him too expensive to go after.

The logical teams don't need him

The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots were rumored to be two possible fits for Wallace. Both teams have signed multiple free-agent wide receivers and no longer appear to have a need. The Chicago Bears traded for Brandon Marshall. Jacksonville picks too high. The Bengals have two first-round picks, but perhaps they don't see A.J. Green and Wallace fitting together on the field. Or under the salary cap.

Where there's no smoke, there is probably a lack of fire. We think Wallace would be well worth a mid-to-late first-round pick and a handsome contract, but it looks unlikely to happen. That's exactly what Tomlin expects.

"Business will take care of itself, but Mike will report and be the guy that he's always been in my mind, and that's a guy that has a desire to be the best and a guy that's willing to work daily to be the best," Tomlin said Tuesday.

For at least one more year, it appears that Wallace will be working in Pittsburgh.

Where there's no smoke, there is probably a lack of fire. We think Wallace would be well worth a mid-to-late first-round pick and a handsome contract, but it looks unlikely to happen. That's exactly what Tomlin expects.

Worth a first round pick, possibly, but not the pick and the big contract. If teams think they can get him at just the contract next year then they'll stay away. I'm going out on a limb and saying there's no way anybody else even sniffs Wallace this offseason.